Powershift: Young and Rising — Climate Crisis Youth Organizing

Thu Feb 14 to Mon Feb 18, 2019, Ottawa, ON

February 14-18, 2019
in Ottawa, on the land of the Algonquin Anishinabe

About PowerShift

PowerShift has historically been a series of gatherings organized by youth for youth. PowerShift gatherings mobilize passionate young people from many walks of life to explore ways of taking action to confront the climate crisis.

PowerShift is about youth learning from each other, learning together, and using that knowledge to develop common strategies for creating visionary change. PowerShift aims to ensure that once the convergence is over, the youth climate movement continues to grow through our networks, continued capacity building, and strategic action.

WE ARE: Young and Rising

As wildfires burn through BC, glaciers retreat in Alberta, winters grow shorter in Nunavut, and floods destroy homes in the Maritimes, Canadian politicians continue to fail us. The federal government touts a lacklustre climate plan, all the while purchasing pipelines, protecting big industry, and failing to respect Indigenous rights. In the face of climate catastrophe, we see young people from across this land coming together, time and again, to work for the just and livable future we know is possible. Powershift: Young and Rising will galvanize a new wave of young leaders to assert a vision beyond fossil fuels- one that honours the leadership that frontline and Indigenous communities have been taking for generations.

From February 14-18, 2019 in Ottawa, on the land of the Algonquin, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, and Anishinabek, PowerShift: Young and Rising will convene hundreds of young people from across Turtle Island. This four day youth climate convergence will feature workshops, keynote speakers, performances and panel discussions on how we– as a collective youth movement– can take action to solve the climate crisis.

Be prepared to learn about the history of social movements; how to start a campaign from scratch; how to influence decision makers; and how Canada can transition to a renewable energy economy. We will dig deep into discussions on topics including fracking, pipeline politics, Indigenous sovereignty, divestment, and green jobs. We will learn how to make lasting change through community organizing, direct action, art, storytelling, and using traditional and digital media.

Through workshops and skill-building sessions, we will learn from peers, elders, and experts alike. We will forge the bonds needed to solidify a long-lasting, resolute, and intersectional climate movement.nada can transition to a renewable energy economy. We will dig deep into discussions on topics including fracking, pipeline politics, Indigenous sovereignty, divestment, and green jobs. We will learn how to make lasting change through community organizing, direct action, art, storytelling, and using traditional and digital media.

In this moment, the stories and actions of young people are more necessary than ever before. We are the generation that has the power to counter the damage done, and build the future we know is possible.